Who would have thought that a gal from Red Bank, New Jersey, would come to Georgia and become the first black female Bailiff? Well, this is exactly what happened to Marguerite Acker West. West, 54, was born in Long Branch, New Jersey, but has traded in the hearty four seasons of the Garden State for the year-round sunny skies of Hinesille, Georgia.
With a strong love for education, West holds a certificate in phlebotomy and earned an Associates Degree from Central Texas College (Killeen, TX) in addition to a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Counseling from Trinity College of Religion.
West learned the game of golf from Guan L. Ellis, a Public Works Director for the City of Hinesville. “He invited me to the range to hit some balls and I was immediately bitten by the golf bug,” says West who left the range, went straight home and ordered golf shoes.
Pictured L-R: Pastor Alvin Jackson, Marguerite Acker West and Kenneth Howard, Assistant City Manager
From that first exciting exposure to the game of golf West went on to become the first black female volunteer at Taylor’s Creek Country Club, her home course, located on the Ft. Stewart, GA military base.
Without hesitation the divorcee of 10 years practices and plays up to five days a week. West and her two sons, David, age 22, and Daniel, age 20, enjoy lots of fun family time together, but not just yet on the golf course.
The patient mother hopes that her boys will get ‘bitten’ by the golf bug soon. Until then, West can rely on her good friends, Guan Ellis and James Bernard (whom she volunteers with a Taylor Creek) and Command Sergeant Major Myron Lewis, the Garrison Command Sergeant Major at Ft. Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, to make up her regular foursome.
West got her game off to the right start by taking two lessons from PGA Professional Cindy Jones. She also had several lessons with Rito Gray.
“Keeping my head down is something that I continue to work hard at,” she admits, “…along with controlling my back swing.”
West, so far, has only played with men and has not had the pleasure to share a round with any ladies.
“I have not played with any women yet in the 11months that I have been playing. ” Although she has competed in several prestigious tournaments including the Savannah West Area Woman’s Missionary Society outing (Oct 2014) held at the Cherokee Rose Country Club; the Manna House Community Fund Raiser for the Homeless Coalition (Oct 2014); The Cherokee Rose Country Club Tournament (April 11, 2015) and The Liberty County M.L. King Observance Association Tournament. Each time West was the only female player. The good news is that West won the longest drive! “How funny is that?” she says laughingly.
At Taylor’s Creek Country Club during their eight-week Spring Golf League West was named as the most improved female golfer (May-Jun 2015).
“I play to prove to myself that I have what it takes to be a scratch golfer someday.”
West realizes the importance of bonding with other female golfers and she is looking forward to a tentative tee time that she has with fellow church member Mrs. Jen Kennedy. “I hear that she is a wonderful person and a great golfer.”
In Hinesville, GA, West works full-time as Church Clerk at the First Calvary Missionary Baptist Church and serves part-time at Liberty County Justice Center, becoming the first black female Bailiff hired (in 2009) by the Late J. Don Martin.
Above L-R: Mayor Pro Charles Frasier for the City of Hinesville, GA., and father of County Commissioner for District 2 Justin Frasier stand with Marguerite Acker West and Guan L. Ellis.
“I most admire former professional LPGA golfer Renee Powell because of her many accomplishments and the challenges that she endured during the 1960’s. She paved the way for women of color in this sport.”
Outside of golf West engages in reading, horseback riding, motorcycle riding and practicing her shooting skills at a nearby indoor gun range. In the kitchen she expertly dishes up fried fish (grouper), rice and peas, grilled chicken and crispy chicken salad. The retired U.S Army Staff Sergeant put her successful photography business, Media on the Move LLC, on the back burner because: “I’d rather play golf.” Her City once hired her to photograph special events with international dignitaries and she has worked with State Representative Al Williams and other elected officials.
“God is the answer,” affirms West. “Golf is a humbling, challenging, relaxing sport, that one can do alone, or with friends, or strangers. And in South Georgia it can be played year-round. It is truly the game for a lifetime of fun.”
